Getting Stylish with Taking Shape UK

A fortnight ago I was invited over to Taking Shape in Solihull to be given a bit of a style session, one that is probably well overdue as I’ve been a bit lax and fallen into wearing jogging bottoms and large tshirts a lot. The store is a little off the beaten track and took us a while to find (I was following google maps and using the address we had in hand, which stopped before we had gone far enough up Drury Lane and into Mell Square, so if you go hunting just head up towards Mell Square and you will find it I promise)!

The store itself is really lovely, its apparently one of the smaller Taking Shape shops in the UK, so doesn’t stock all their clothing range, but believe me there is still a lot to choose from and while Taking Shape is new to the UK it has been open in Australia for almost 30 years, so they have history and knowledge behind them, much of the clothing they offer is bright, bold and very colourful, taking after the styles and colours those in Australia, but they have also taken into account that some of us over here like more muted colours and have started making a UK only range of clothing which offers more pastel and monotone colours.

When we arrived at the store we were greeted by two lovely members of staff – one of whom was the manager; Wendy and were given a few minutes to have a nose around the shop and see if anything jumped out at me from the store, that I might like to try on.

I totally admit at this point in the visit I was very much, let’s call me ‘old’ Sarah, everything I went for was black, perhaps had a bit of a pattern on it, but not too much and this is when the admission came, when I was setting up the visit I sent through some ideas of what I wear – of course I said black – but I ended it with, I’m open to trying anything and the selection of clothes Wendy had put together for me was colourful – she had thrown in a few of the pieces I would normally go for but on the whole there was orange, red, yellow and green everywhere – which when  I first saw it scared me, I won’t lie.

As I stepped into the dressing room I wondered what to try first, my hand hovered over the usual blacks that filled a small area of the rail, but I knew that if I didn’t take that leap I perhaps wouldn’t at all, so I grabbed the brightest orange top and quickly popped it on – in that second no one could have guessed the colour monster that had been unleashed.

Honestly after putting on a few different colourful outfits, I couldn’t even think of going to back to black and when I did try it, it just felt wrong – I suddenly felt alive in colours.

To be honest with you I am not a person who likes people looking at me, in fact the whole thought of doing this styling session scared me as it not only meant having my picture taken but having people I didn’t know look at me, but the staff in Taking Shape made me feel completely at ease, we were laughing and chatting all the way through, in fact at no point did I feel ‘stared at.

When it came to how the outfits looked they were all very honest with me, which was refreshing and led me to feel like I could trust in them to show me the right way to dress. They are also very big on accessories and if you’re not sure on what you should team with what they are more than happy to give suggestions and with some of the beautiful accessories they have to offer you really are spoilt for choice.

Sadly after a while my pain and ability to overheat got the better of me so we sat down and had a drink, while I decided what clothes to treat myself too (believe me that took a while) and we sat and asked the staff a few questions, which I thought might be useful for anyone fancying a styling session from Taking Shape:

• Styling Sessions are free of charge to anyone – you just need to call ahead and book your slot.
• They can last anywhere between 30 minutes and 3 hours, the sessions are tailored to you and how long you have and need.
• There is no pressure to buy anything, you’re more than welcome to go and try on and then leave empty handed.
• If you are after clothing of a certain colour, style or for a special occasion let them know and they will tailor the clothing around that.
• If you are prone to overheating like me, some of the fabrics used are especially made for hot climates so can give you a helping hand in keeping cooler.
• If you happen to be around Solihull and just fancy popping in there are always open to people popping in for a tea and a chat.

Personally I will definitely be popping back later this year for another session when the seasons change and for anyone that is thinking of going, I can only say what are you waiting for! Get booking now, as for the clothes – well I’ve said before what a fan I am of them, they offer quality materials that are really comfortable to wear and move with you – not against you and that definitely hasn’t changed – the only thing that could make Taking Shape better is if they opened a store here in Lichfield.

I couldn’t end this post without sharing with you this beautiful necklace (dubbed by us smartie cascade).

What do you think of my store visit to Taking Shape, could you see yourself going for a styling session?

*I was invited to take part in a personal styling session at Taking Shape Solihull and was gifted an outfit of my choice, however I am also a customer of Taking Shape.
**Please excuse the slightly shaky photos I didn’t notice that till I got home.